Indian media on October 16 focused heavily on President Trump's assertion that Prime Minister Modi assured him India would halt Russian oil purchases. Early reports highlighted Trump's claims, which Rahul Gandhi quickly criticized, and Russia's Deputy PM added complexity by stating India pays for Russian oil in Chinese currency. Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, the Ministry of External Affairs and various government sources consistently rejected Trump's claims, reiterating that India's energy choices are guided by national consumer interests and that no such phone call or assurance occurred. This narrative dominated the news cycle, overshadowing other political developments like the Gujarat cabinet's en masse resignation and Bihar election updates.